Bulk separation of undesired components from gas mixtures

Abstract

A method for separating undesired components from gas mixtures comprises the following steps of providing a gas mixture containing at least two gaseous components, wherein one component is an undesired component, feeding water to the gas mixture, forming a hydrate of the undesired component and a remaining gas mixture, wherein the hydrate is formed by spraying a combination comprising the water and the gas mixture, and separating the hydrate from the remaining gas mixture.

1 . A method for separating undesired components from gas mixtures comprising the following steps:
 providing a gas mixture containing at least two gaseous components, wherein one component is an undesired component,   feeding water to the gas mixture,   forming a hydrate of the undesired component and a remaining gas mixture, wherein the hydrate is formed by spraying a combination comprising the water and the gas mixture, and   separating the hydrate from the remaining gas mixture.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein the undesired compound is selected from CO 2 , H 2 S, C 2 H 6  and C 3 H 8 . 
     
     
         3 . Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the undesired compound is H 2 S. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the undesired compound forms 30 vol.-% or more of the gas mixture. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hydrate is formed by spraying a combination comprising the water and the gas mixture through a nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 5  wherein the nozzle is operated at a temperature below 6° C. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 5  or  6  wherein the nozzle is operated at a pressure below 30 bar. 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 5  wherein the nozzle is operated at a temperature of 5.5° C. and at a pressure of 28 bar. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hydrate is formed by spraying a combination comprising the water, the gas mixture and tetrahydrofuran. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein molar ratio of water to the gas mixture is in the range of 3:1 to 9:1, preferably 6:1.